AAA projects Independence Day travelers will set new records both nationwide and in North Carolina. AAA says more than 70.9 million people in the United States are expected to travel 50 miles or more away from home for July 4. Of those, 2.2 million will be North Carolinians. AAA’s Independence Day travel forecast measures domestic trips of 50 miles or more during a nine-day period from June 29 to July 7. Tiffany Wright of AAA Carolinas joined Jeff Hamlin on the WPTF Afternoon News to discuss what tips people need to follow to ensure their holiday travel is safe.

Downtown Raleigh’s Red Hat Amphitheater is poised for a record-breaking 2024 season with 51 concerts scheduled, nearly triple the amount since its 2010 debut. Starting in April, this year’s concert series has already seen sell-out performances by Bryson Tiller, Queens of the Stone Age, Chappell Roan, and Khruangbin, with more expected through late October. Kerry Painter, Executive Director of Red Hat Amphitheater, discussed the season's strong start with Jeff Hamlin on the WPTF Afternoon News.

Stephanie Hawco, a spokesperson for RDU Airport, joined Jeff Hamlin on the WPTF Afternoon News to discuss the new service to Panama, making traveling from the Research Triangle region to Central and South America and the Caribbean easier with direct flights to Tocumen International Airport in Panama City, Panama on Copa Airlines. Copa will become RDU’s 18th airline and Panama City will be its 10th international destination when service begins in June. As part of the Star Alliance with United Airlines, Copa provides access to 85 destinations from 32 countries in North, Central, and South America and the Caribbean.

The North Carolina Senate has voted three times in three years to legalize medical marijuana, but so far, most Republicans in the House have postured for it not to get to a vote. As it stands, the proposal will allow adults 21 and older with a qualifying medical condition and a state-issued medical cannabis identification card to purchase cannabis from state-licensed dispensaries. Paula Savchenko, a founding partner of Cannacore Group advocating for medical marijuana legalization in North Carolina, joined Jeff Hamlin on the WPTF Afternoon News to discuss the ongoing legislative efforts.

In this episode, Jeff Hamlin speaks with Black Biden, a YouTuber known for exposing suspected child predators in Long Beach, California. They discuss the recent arrest of Harlan Frye, the former Human Resources director for the North Carolina Department of Revenue. Frye, 62, was arrested in early June on a felony charge of arranging a meeting with a child for lewd purposes. The arrest, caught on video and posted on YouTube, reveals the disturbing circumstances leading to Frye's downfall. Join Jeff and Black Biden as they delve into the investigation and the broader issue of protecting minors from predators.

In this episode, Jeff Hamlin is joined by Reverend Kate Byrd from St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Smithfield to discuss their ambitious efforts to abolish $14 million in medical debt in Johnston County. This mission is deeply personal for Reverend Byrd, who faced mounting medical bills when a family member underwent cancer treatment. Inspired by the nonprofit Under Medical Debt, she is now rallying other churches to help their congregants manage and relieve the financial burden of medical debt. Discover how faith communities are stepping up to support those in need and the powerful impact of collective action.

In this episode, Jeff Hamlin speaks with Denise Kissel, Project Administrator for Wake County, about the record-breaking demand for the Cool for Wake program as the summer heats up. With 160 fan requests since the season began, more than double last year's number, the program is working hard to meet the needs of residents. Denise shares insights on the seven distribution sites available across Wake County and the outreach efforts to support the most vulnerable populations.

In this episode, Jeff Hamlin is joined by Mitch Patterson, Emergency Services Outreach Leader for OnStar, to discuss preparations for the current hurricane season. Last year, the United States faced 28 disaster events, resulting in nearly $93 billion in losses. With an 85% chance of above-normal hurricane activity forecasted for the Atlantic Coast this year, and up to 25 named storms expected, preparation is more crucial than ever. Mitch shares how OnStar answered nearly a million emergency calls and supported 160 crisis events in 2023, including Hurricane Idalia, where OnStar activated Crisis Mode.

Apex Mayor Pro Tem Ed Gray joins Morrisville Town Councilman Steve Rao and Anthony DeHart to discuss the remarkable achievements of local students, such as Ananya Prasanna's success in the Scripps National Spelling Bee, highlighting the educational excellence that defines Apex. They also explore the town's recent budget decisions, focusing on investments in public safety and affordable housing to sustain Apex's reputation as "the peak of good living." Ed Gray shares insights into ongoing challenges like managing growth and enhancing transit infrastructure, including the exciting developments in Apex's Go APEX program. Discover why Apex stands out as a vibrant community with a strong sense of civic pride and a commitment to a prosperous future.

Join Mayor Buddy Gupton of Garner, NC, alongside Morrisville Town Councilman Steve Rau and Anthony DeHart as they delve into the pressing issues and exciting prospects for Garner. Mayor Gupton offers a detailed look at Garner's budget priorities, strategies for sustainable growth, and efforts in affordable housing. Explore why Garner is increasingly recognized as a desirable destination in Wake County, celebrated for its strong community ethos and advantageous geographical position.

Laurie Buckhout, retired Army Colonel and Congressional candidate for N.C. 1, and Mike Johnson, Speaker of the House of the US Representatives, joined Anthony DeHart on the WPTF Afternoon News to discuss the race for NC’s 1st Congressional District and the pressing issues facing the country this campaign season. Laurie Buckhout shared her military insights and campaign priorities. Speaker Johnson discussed what success looks like in his role as Speaker of the House and narrated some the key things he hopes to accomplish during his tenure. Johnson also shared his insights on creating unity and achieving results despite polarization and fractures within the Republican Party.

Kinston Mayor Don Hardy joined The WPTF Afternoon News to discuss the key issues facing Kinston, including business growth, transportation, and emergency management. Mayor Hardy is attending the U.S. Conference of Mayors in Kansas City. He shares insights on the importance of grant funding, digital equity, and strategies to combat homelessness and improve local law enforcement. Mayor Hardy also reflects on his recent experience attending the Juneteenth celebration at the White House. Kinston Mayor Don Hardy joins Anthony DeHart on the WPTF Afternoon News.

As hot and dry weather persists across central North Carolina, Johnston County is urging homeowners to conserve water and minimize non-essential use. Increased irrigation has been observed countywide due to recent weather conditions. Chandra Farmer, Director of Johnston County Public Utilities, joined Jeff Hamlin on the WPTF Afternoon News to discuss effective water conservation tips and the county's efforts to maintain a stable water supply.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are disparities in drowning rates. Black children are more prone to drowning in public pools, whereas white children are more susceptible in residential pools. For instance, Black children aged 10-14 drown in pools at rates 7.6 times higher than their white counterparts. In natural water settings, American Indian or Alaska Native individuals under 30 have the highest drowning death rates, which are 2.7 times higher than those of white individuals. Deidra Hall suggests several reasons why Black children may be at higher risk of drowning. Deidra Hall and Zion Hall are co-founders of Champions Coaching Inc. They discussed their organization with Jeff Hamlin on the WPTF Afternoon News.

Tuesday the Biden administration unveiled a plan to allow certain spouses of U.S. citizens, currently without legal status, to apply for permanent residency and eventual citizenship. According to the White House, this policy change could impact as many as 500,000 immigrants. Sarah Bermeo is a Duke University associate professor from the Sanford School of Public Policy believes this decision will bring economic benefits to the United States and enhance the safety of the individuals affected. Bermeo joined Jeff Hamlin on the WPTF Afternoon News to discuss the Biden administration's announcement

On Monday night, the House unveiled its own plan, which Senate leaders believe calls for excessive spending. The plan includes funding for federal child care aid that is set to expire at the end of June. Additionally, the House budget proposes extra raises for state employees and teachers beyond those already scheduled to take effect on July 1. In other political news, the first presidential debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump is approaching. There is still uncertainty about whether it will proceed as planned. Catawba College political science professor Michael Bitzer joined Jeff Hamlin on the WPTF Afternoon News to discuss the Republican proposal and the upcoming debate.

In this week's edition of the Wake County Roundup, Morrisville Town Councilman Steve Rao and host Anthony DeHart discuss pressing issues in Raleigh with City Council Member Cory Branch. The segment covers gun safety initiatives during Gun Safety Awareness Month, Raleigh's infrastructure improvements amidst rapid growth, and transportation developments, including the bus rapid transit system and greenway expansions. Branch highlights efforts to enhance community engagement through programming at community centers and partnerships with nonprofits. He also addresses the housing crisis with rehabilitation programs for seniors and affordable housing projects. The discussion concludes with a focus on supporting small businesses and ongoing challenges with traffic.

Wake Tech held a groundbreaking ceremony marking the start of construction for another instructional building at Wake Tech East in Wendell. Wake Tech East opens to students in August with university transfer degrees, and engineering and EMS degree programs. The new building, called the Advanced Technology Center, will house the college’s Biopharmaceutical Technology degree program. It will offer a real-life simulated biopharma work environment, as well as a Systems Integration Lab with robotics, mechatronics, and advanced manufacturing equipment supporting Industry 4.0 technologies. Wake Tech President Scott Rawls joined Jeff Hamlin on the WPTF Afternoon News to discuss the new building.

President Joe Biden is planning to announce a sweeping new policy that would lift the threat of deportation for tens of thousands of people married to U.S. citizens. It's an aggressive election-year action on immigration that had been sought by many Democrats. Biden hosted a White House event to celebrate the Obama-era directive that offered deportation protections for young undocumented immigrants. Klaus Larres, a Distinguished Professor of History and International Affairs at UNC-Chapel Hill, joined Jeff Hamlin on the WPTF Afternoon News to discuss how immigration could prove to be a major sticking point in this year’s election.

The temperatures are about to climb to 100 degrees, meaning the unhoused across Raleigh will seek refuge from the heat. Pastor Vance Haywood of St. John’s Metropolitan Community Church takes this situation very seriously, as instances of heat stroke and heat exhaustion rise dramatically during the summer. When temperatures reach dangerous levels, St. John’s Metropolitan Community Church will implement its White Flag policy to welcome the unhoused inside for a cool place to stay. Pastor Haywood joined Jeff Hamlin on the WPTF Afternoon News to discuss the White Flag policy.